Friendships blossom

Participants in around one of the cat enclosures with Trainer Juliana

There’s something special unfolding at our Ten Lives Cat Centre in Hobart—and it’s not just the change of season!

Program Trainer, Juliana reported that within sessions, a quiet but powerful sense of connection is growing, as participants come together to form friendships built on trust, care and shared experience.

Across just one week, Juliana, noticed small but meaningful exchanges between participants—gentle check-ins, offers of help, and words of reassurance. Simple moments like asking “are you ok today?”, offering to support each other in session like “can I help you get out on the cat pen?”, and, “would you like a turn to go into pen with this cat now?”, as well as reminding one another “we’re your friends and we’re happy to see you today”, reflects something much deeper than conversation. They are signs of a safe and supportive community taking shape.

While these moments are shared here in a general and anonymous way, they are part of a much bigger story—one where participants feel comfortable enough to be themselves, to show vulnerability, and to care for others in return.

They are also powerful opportunities for participants to build empathy, strengthen social communication skills, and practise understanding others’ perspectives in real time. Through small acts of kindness, active listening, and offering support, participants develop the confidence to connect with others in meaningful ways. It is within these everyday interactions that independence begins to grow—shaped by the ability to communicate, relate, and build trusting relationships both within sessions and beyond.

At Happy Paws Happy Hearts, connection with animals is often the starting point. It’s the human connections that grow alongside these animal interactions that are incredibly powerful to change someone’s day, week or even life. In the presence of cats and kittens, and within a space free from judgement, participants find common ground, companionship, and a sense of belonging. 💞